Lazy Day Oatmeal Cake

1 C uncooked rolled oats (instant or regular, I used rolled oats)
1 1/4 C boiling water
1/2 C butter or 1/2 cup margarine
1 C granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Topping
1/4 C butter or 1/4 cup margarine, melted
1/2 C brown sugar
3 T cream or 3 tablespoons milk
3/4 C flaked coconut
1/3 C chopped nuts (optional)

In a shallow bowl soak oats in boiling water for 20 minutes. Meanwhile proceed by measuring butter and sugars into beater bowl and beating until light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Sift and measure flour, sifting again with the soda and spices. By this time the oats will be soaked and cool. Remove beaters from creamed mixture and fold in soaked oats.Sift flour mixture over and fold in. Turn in a buttered 9×9-inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Mix all the topping ingredients. Do not remove cake from pan but while still hot spread topping over and put under the broiler until bubbly and tinged with gold. Watch carefully.